Golden News
Volume 13 - Number 29 - 17th January, 2000.

The weekly newsletter of the Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile, Hong Kong.
Web site: www.rckgm.org


Last Week's Meeting - 12th January 2000.
 
Well folks, I'm travelling again, and this time I'm in the US, but I am really pressed for time, so I hope you will forgive my brevity with this week's issue of the Golden News.
 
Our guest speaker last week was Ms. Penny Smith and she gave an excellent talk about the "Riding For The Disabled" organisation in Hong Kong, and she also presented a brief video.
 
Oh yeah, President Ram "Bo" was there and a bunch of other people too.
 

Gone But Never Forgotten:

1) This Wednesday marks the second anniversary of the death of PP Hans Schult, who went to meet his maker on 19 January 1998.

For the benefit of those members who did not know PP Hans personally, he was a German national who spent over 30 years living and working in Asia, including over 20 years in Hong Kong. PP Hans was a dedicated Rotarian, a prominent figure in the Hong Kong travel industry, an avid golfer and horse-racing aficionado and a regular fixture at the Chin Chin Bar of the Hyatt Regency hotel.
 
PP Hans was one of the most colourful people one could ever hope to meet and he is sadly missed by all who knew him, particularly his close friends at KGM.
 
2) We also extend our heartfelt condolences to our Honorary Member and Charter President Chandru Parmanand and his brothers Club Advisor PP Larry Parmanand and regular visiting Rotarian, PE Shane Parmanand, on the recent passing of their mother.
 
May PP Hans and Mrs. Parmanand both rest in peace.
 

Recently Resigned Members:
 
Jack O'Rourke, who recently resumed full time residency in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Jack has joined the Rotary Club of Las Vegas University and he can be contacted at CaptJackLV@aol.com or by telephone on +1 7022 399 3209.
 

Attendance - Improvement:
 
Well folks, it seems that my harsh words in last week's Golden News worked to some extent, because our attendance at last week's meeting was noticeably higher than in previous weeks. A genuine thanks to those who responded to my "call to action".
 
However this is no excuse for complacency !!
 
Remember that when you first joined KGM, you made a commitment to maintain your attendance at a level of not less than 60%, and we all need to fulfill that obligation.
 
Enuff said ?
 

Welcome Committee:
 
Zzzzzzz. Hello ? Is there anybody out there who can give me a roster for the Welcome Committee ?? Sheesh. Being Bulletin Editor has got to be the loneliest position on the Board, 'coz nobody wants to talk to me, despite my changing deodorants three times over the past three weeks.
 
Anyway, I STILL have no idea who is supposed to be on duty this week, nor do I know who is in town at the moment, so it's exactly the same deal as last week folks.
 
Would the first 2 members who arrive at the hotel this Wednesday kindly assume the task ? Thank You.
 
PS: Please note that Club Directors and the Sergeants-At-Arms should NOT be included in the Welcome Committee roster 'coz they already contribute a lot of time and energy to KGM affairs.
 

This Week's Speaker: Mr. Mark Pixley
 
Topic: KGM 2000 - Where Do We Go From Here ?
  
Hmmm. Shades of the Microsoft slogan ?? Anyway, according to our Programme Director Brian "E-ba-gumm" Hodgson, this will be a discussion forum on plans for our club, so please bring your thinking caps !
 
Editor's note: If you don't have a "thinking cap", just wear one of those silly caps with the rotor on top. Nobody will notice.
 
This Week's Birthday Celebrants:
 
21 January - Jane "I'm A Dancer Not A" Singer, who shares her birthday with golfing legend Jack Nicklaus and the late but great British comedian Benny Hill (who's character Fred Scuttle somehow reminds me of our Programme Director Mr. Hodgson !).

 

Next Fellowship Event: Indian Night - Last Call.

Yes folks, it's on again !!! Our exceedingly generous Indian members have once again graciously offered to host what has arguably been the most fun fellowship on the KGM calendar for the past few years:
 
Time and date: 7:30 p.m. (Indian time), 22 January 2000 (this Saturday !!).
 
Venue: The Viceroy of India Restaurant, Sun Hung Kai Centre, Wanchai North, Hong Kong.
 
Cost: ZIP (unless you are an Indian, in which case your share is a truck load of rupees).
 
VOLUNTEER REQUIRED: As your erstwhile Bulletin Editor will not be able to attend this Indian Night due to his overseas travel commitments, a volunteer photographer(s) will be required for the evening, preferably those with a digital camera.
 
If you would like to assist, please DO NOT e-mail photographs to me. Simply transfer your images in JPG, GIF or BMP format to a floppy diskette and pass the diskette to President Ram. Selected images will be uploaded to the KGM web site, with credit given to the contributing photographer(s).
 

Forthcoming Club and District Events:
 
(1) 25-27 February 2000 - Rotary International Presidential Conference, Regent Hotel, Hong Kong.
 
This is a prestigious event in the Rotary Calendar which will be attended by Rotary International President Carlo Ravizza and many other RI dignitaries. This event commences on the evening of Friday 25 February, comprises a whole day session on Saturday 26 February and concludes with a half-day session on Sunday 27 February.
 
The registration fee is US$175 (HK$1,365) per person however, in an effort to support DG Dipo, your Board of Directors have agreed that the KGM General Fund will fully subsidise up to twenty (20) members of KGM to attend this important event. Members who are willing and able to attend not less than 60% of this event are invited to register their interest with President Ram.
 
Members who register but who subsequently fail to attend will be expected to reimburse the registration fee to KGM.
 
SPECIAL NOTE: KGM members who contribute US$1,000 to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International by 31 January 2000 can receive their recognition from incumbent Rotary International President Carlo Ravizza during this conference. KGM members who are interested in making a contribution should contact KGM Rotary Foundation Director Elissa Cohen ASAP.
 
(2) 27-29 February 2000 - RC of Paranaque 25th Anniversary, Manila.
 
Due to the conflict of this event with the RI Presidential Conference above, a small delegation of four members lead by PP Vince "It's A Rotten Job But Somebody's Gotta Do It" Pinto will represent KGM in Manila at this event, with all costs borne individually by those attending.
 

KGM Web Site:
 
Other than adding a Chinese New Year greeting and the appropriate graphics there have been no dramatic changes lately at the KGM web site and none will be made during my travels.
 
Remember though that if any member has any positive suggestions on how we can further improve the web site, please do not hesitate to contact the Webmaster at pinto@selpro.com.hk

 

Cool Internet Sites Of The Week:
 
http://www.discovery.com/ is another interesting web site for those who would like to learn more about how our world turns !
 
 

Quote Of The Week:

"The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, and the second half by our children."

Clarence Darrow


Joke Of The Week:
 
Three women who work in the same office notice that their female boss has started leaving work early every day. One day they decide that after she leaves, they'll take off early, too. After all, she never calls or comes back, so how is she to know?
 
The brunette is thrilled to get home early. She does a little gardening, watches a movie and then goes to bed early.
 
The redhead is elated to be able to get in a quick workout at her health club before her dinner date.
 
The blonde is also very happy to be home early but as she goes upstairs she hears noises coming from her bedroom. She quietly opens the door and is mortified to see her husband in bed with HER BOSS! She quietly closes the door and creeps out of her house.
 
The next day, the brunette and the redhead talk about leaving early again, but when they ask the blonde if she wants to leave early too, she replies: "NO WAY! Yesterday I almost got caught!".

 

The Phantom